Customer Reviews

Unchained Melodies

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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I fully expected to love this CD, given my respect for Karen Akers' talents and my general like of her work. Her song selections are impecable and she breathes new life into otherwise clichéd standards. Unfortunately, some poor production choices mar this otherwise "easy listening" CD. First, Karen's voice is given far too much reverb/echo and you can hear this false vocal space on every track. Second, each track sounds like the previous one since the same arrangements are used over and over and over. Third, the use of that cheesy synthesizer! Even the piano has that cheesy sound. Given the very clear recording, you can hear every note and nuance, which isn't always a blessing. Karen's voice gloriously romps on this CD, but the band isn't up to the task and the arrangements leave much to be desired. I much prefer her "Unusual Way" CD.

Karen Aker's enunciation is perfect--you hear and feel each lyric. She adds something new/fun to many of these old songs. She blends in French or German or a rarely heard introduction. Highly recommend this CD for easy listening. It is her best to date. Unchained Melodies/ The "Waltz Songs"/Falling in Love Again/What'll I Do are "keepers".